Thank you for visiting the
Greater Hartford
Chapter of the American Guild of Organists (AGO)
The American Guild of Organists was founded in 1896 as an educational and service organization and is headquartered in New York City. Under the leadership of the National Council, a network of volunteer officials at the regional, district and local levels directs the activities of the guild. The guild is divided into seven geographical regions; the Greater Hartford Chapter belongs to Region I (New England) and is one of the largest and most active chapters in the region.
LETTER FROM THE DEAN:
Dear Members,
On March 4th we had a wonderful celebration of our Hartford AGO community with a student recital, featuring 14 organ students of all different ages and levels of experience, sharing their love for the instrument with each other and with us. Following the concert, we all congratulated the students over snacks, cake, and delicious fruit punch in a lovely reception hosted by our Hospitality Committee, chaired by Cheryl Wadsworth with assistance from Lori Bourret and Marnie Clark.
Michelle Horsley, Dean
The event was hosted at St. Peter Claver Church in West Hartford, where Music Director Tim Stella graciously shared his instrument and accommodated practice times for 14 performers over several weeks. The student organists ranged in age and experience from middle schoolers to college students to some who have chosen to pursue the instrument in their retirement. The performance included works by Bach, Buxtehude, Pachelbel, Krebs, Peeters, Mendelssohn, and Franck.
For many, this was their first time performing on an organ! The audience was delighted to encourage them and to share in a celebration of their progress. Afterward, Tim invited folks to explore the console and see the instrument up close. What a joy it was to see all of these student organists get to meet each other and share their love of the instrument! We lift up an enthusiastic applause to the following students:
Barbara Robbins, Kathie Rovetti, Kevin Xiao, JoAnne Harris, Kelly Roqueza, Kathy Roqueza, John Gerlach, Tom Gerlach, Caleb Smith, Chris Yi, Ray Giolitto, Philip Tummescheit, Madison Thomspon, Ted Babbitt
as well as their wonderful teachers:
Scott Lamlein, Angela Salcedo, Cheryl Wadsworth, and Christopher Houlihan
We've also got a few events around the horizon to close out our Jolidon Organ Recital Series, with two more concerts to close out the year:
April 30th at 4:00pm - Damin Spritzer at Asylum Hill Congregational Church (Hartford)
June 16th at 7:30pm - Sebastian Heindl at St. John's Episcopal Church (West Hartford)
Michelle Horsley, Dean
Note: the Alcee Chriss concert has been postponed until further notice
Friday, February 10th, 2023
the Jolidon Organ Recital Series presents
Alcee Chriss
7:30pm
Trinity College Chapel
300 Summit St. Hartford
Saturday, March 4th, 2023
Hartford AGO Student Recital & Reception
7:00pm
Church of St. Peter Claver
47 Pleasant St. West Hartford
Sunday, April 30th, 2023
the Jolidon Organ Recital Series presents
Damin Spritzer
4:00pm
Asylum Hill Congregational Church
814 Asylum Ave. Hartford
Friday, June 16th, 2023
Catered Dinner, GH-AGO Annual Meeting & Organ Recital
6:00pm - Dinner ($25 per person)
6:45pm - Annual Meeting
7:30pm - Organ Concert
the Jolidon Organ Recital Series presents
Sebastian Heindl
St. John's Episcopal Church
679 Farmington Ave. West Hartford
YOUTUBE CHANNEL
Greater Hartford Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, You Tube Channel
OUR CHAPTER:
Dean: Michelle Horsley
Sub Dean: Christopher Houlihan
Secretary: Robert Gilbert
Treasurer: Jonathan Reuning-Scherer
Susan Carroll
William Hively
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